Author and coach Jen Butler joins me to talk about the wild Venn diagram of midlife: perimenopause, PMDD, motherhood, and the courage to break up with both alcohol and diet culture. Jen shares how cycle tracking helped her spot a clear mid-cycle mood crash, the conversation that led to her PMDD diagnosis, and why taking fluoxetine (Prozac) in her luteal phase lets her feel like herself all month.

We get into night sweats, brain fog, strength training by your cycle, communicating with partners and kids, and how seven years alcohol-free opened the door to deeper healing—plus her forthcoming memoir, Mom Rediscovered: My Midlife Breakup with Drinking and Diet Culture. If you’ve ever wondered whether thriving in this season is possible… this one’s for you.

We cover:

• Perimenopause signs & PMDD (and what finally helped)
• Luteal-phase SSRIs: what it’s like on Prozac only half the month
• Fitness + strength: adjusting weights across your cycle
• Quitting wine-mom culture & becoming alcohol-free
• Ditching diet culture for body appreciation
• Parenting through hormones: honesty, safety, and therapy

To connect with Jen:

Website: jenbutlerwrites.com

Instagram: @jenbutlerwrites

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21 Day Cycle Challenge - Starts October 1st

Sign up here: https://subscribepage.io/g40KGm

The Cycle Codes:

Instagram: @thecyclecodes

🧰 Grab Your Cycle, Decoded — my free guide to finally understanding your body’s rhythm: Download here

Disclaimer:

The content shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified medical professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your cycle, hormones, or health. I speak from lived experience and training in menstrual cycle awareness—not as a licensed medical practitioner.

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